No nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka's Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself
by Mahinda Rajapaksa
(Following is the full text of the address by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the United Nations General Assembly at New York on September 23rd 2010)
“I have great pleasure in congratulating Your Excellency Joseph Deiss, on your assumption of the Chair of the sixty fifth Session of the General Assembly.
I also take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the President of the sixty fourth Session, His Excellency Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, for his effective stewardship of the General Assembly.
That the United Nations is now in its sixty fifth year serves to underline the durability of this organisation. It is an important mechanism in ensuring co-operation between States and a forum for discussion between sovereign nations. We must never under-estimate the importance of this organisation based as it is, on the principle of equal treatment of countries big and small.
It is in this spirit that I address you at a crucial juncture in the history of my own country. In two months, I will be assuming office for my second term.
My mandate will be very different from my last. For my second term as President, my promise to my people is to deliver sustainable peace and prosperity to all and ensure that terrorism will not be able to raise its ugly head again.
In 2005, I was elected by my people on a promise to rid my country of the menace of terrorism. I say that Sri Lanka is now at peace, peace that was only a dream a few years ago.
Over the past year, much has been reported and much has been said regarding my country’s liberation from terrorism. However, far less has been said of the suffering we had to undergo and the true nature of the enemy we have overcome.
The rapidly forgotten truth is that we had to face one of the most brutal, highly organized, well funded and effective terrorist organizations that could even spread its tentacles to other countries.
Many of the atrocities of terrorism that the West has come to experience in recent times, the people of Sri Lanka were themselves the victims of, for nearly 30 years, losing almost one hundred thousand lives, among them being a President of Sri Lanka, a visionary leader of India and scores of intellectuals and politicians.
The LTTE was an organization so brutal, that even those it claimed to represent, the Tamil community of Sri Lanka, were as much victims of its terror as the rest of the population of our country.
Those who observing from afar, suggested that the Sri Lankan government should have conceded to the demands of the terrorists, need to be reminded that terror is terror, whatever mask it wears and however it is packaged. To all those, I say this. My responsibility is to the entire nation. My responsibility is to the lives of millions of men, women and children, and those yet to be born. My responsibility is to the peace and prosperity of the nation and the right to a peaceful life for all who live there.
In this context, it is worth examining the capacity of current international humanitarian law to meet contemporary needs. It must be remembered that such law evolved essentially in response to conflicts waged by the forces of legally constituted States, and not terrorist groups. The asymmetrical nature of conflicts initiated by non-state actors gives rise to serious problems which need to be considered in earnest by the international community.
As we close a sad chapter in our country’s history, I would like to remind you that we, along with many others, made repeated attempts to engage the LTTE in constructive dialogue. I still believe dialogue is the best method to resolve any conflict but, it is much to be regretted that all these attempts were rejected with reckless arrogance and contempt. It is in these circumstances that we were compelled to mount a humanitarian operation with the blessings of many international friends, to neutralize acts of terrorism and restore peace and security.
The entire focus of our nation, is now on building a lasting peace; healing wounds, ensuring economic prosperity and guaranteeing the rights of the whole nation to live in harmony.
We are mindful that in order to fulfill these aspirations, economic development and political reconciliation must go hand in hand. Towards this end, constitutional changes which appropriately reflect aspirations of our people will be evolved with the full participation of all stakeholders.
We are pursuing a nation-wide agenda of renewal. Sri Lanka has already returned over 90% of the internally displaced persons to their original villages that were previously riddled with landmines, and provided the essential infrastructure necessary to resume normal life. We have helped bring back the vitality of youth to former child soldiers.
We have rebuilt the Eastern Province and begun the same task in the North. Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces now have the role of delivering essential services, rebuilding habitats, clearing mines and restoring vital infrastructure to whole tracts of formerly decimated land.
Despite the lingering dangers that have remained, Sri Lanka has never-the-less repealed a substantial part of the Emergency Regulations so necessary during our conflict situation and plans to repeal a good part of the remainder in the coming months.
A great deal has been said by those beyond our borders about our Tamil community. Let me be clear, no nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka’s Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself.
To the mis-guided few, I say, do not allow yourselves to become an instrument of division, hate and violence, to be used as an enabler for hatred to be reborn in another form. Rather come, let us join hands and break the bonds of mistrust to rise to new horizons.
Sri Lanka recognizes the challenges we face, among the greatest of which is healing the wounds of the recent past. To this end, earlier this year, a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission have been established, giving full expression to the principles of accountability.
This independent Commission, comprising eight Sri Lankans of eminence and stature, has already begun its work. Recently, the Commission handed over to me an interim communication recommending certain administrative steps that may need to be taken in the reconciliation process.
We believe that for the rebuilding and healing of our nation to succeed, the process must evolve from within. If history has taught us one thing, it is that imposed external solutions breed resentment and ultimately fail. Ours, by contrast, is a home grown process, which reflects the culture and traditions of our people.
We certainly welcome the support of the international community as we rebuild our lands and our economy. We sincerely hope that they will be prepared to take a practical approach to developing partnerships with Sri Lanka through international trade, investment and capacity building.
Our economy is well on the way to realizing the dividend of peace. We are experiencing steady and sustained growth including during the last quarter of over eight per cent, moderate inflation and low interest rates. During the last five (5) years, we saw our per capita income double. It is our ambition to take this further; to double yet again the present per capita income by 2016 and also become one of the top 30 countries for doing business by 2014.
“Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future”, my election manifesto articulates my vision of having sound infrastructure at the national, provincial and rural levels, which is vital for the inclusive growth that will make development meaningful to the entirety of society.
I can also proudly claim that my country through the economic strategy is comfortably realizing the millennium development goals, well in advance of the target set by the United Nations.
We are at present strongly focusing on putting in place the necessary public infrastructure and strengthening the enabling policy environment for the private sector to invest even more in my country.
In order to achieve the full realization of our potential, we desire a supportive external environment. Towards this end, we will always look for constructive engagement and partnerships. We will from our side, continue to contribute as we have always done, to the cause of multilateralism and a principled global order.
In this regard, I am happy to note that 2010 marks the fiftieth (50) anniversary since we first contributed to a UN Peacekeeping Mission. Our Armed Forces and the Police are today combat tested, with a capacity to carry out their duties in the most challenging of conditions. I wish Mr. President, therefore to use this forum to re-affirm our willingness to further enhance our support to the UN Peace-Keeping Operations.
The world unlike in the past has become severely vulnerable to natural disasters. Almost every day we see millions of people becoming victims of severe floods, landslides, volcanoes, cyclones, earthquakes and the like. It has become increasingly difficult for affected countries to manage unassisted, the post disaster recovery programmers. The recent natural calamities in our region underline the crucial need for effective action, in which there is collective participation, to reduce human suffering. Without doubt, climate change and global warming are today issues which demand the urgent attention of all nations.
Among the political issues that have continued to fester for too long, is the continued denial of the right of the Palestinian people to a State of their own within recognized and secure borders. It is the fervent hope of the people of Sri Lanka that this most tragic of situations would be resolved without delay in a sustainable manner. We hope that Palestine will be a full member of this Assembly next year.
Our guiding principle must always be that of mutual respect in international discourse, even as we disapprove and condemn measures such as unilateral embargoes.
Experience in the recent past amply demonstrates that these embargoes impact not on governments but on the most vulnerable sections of the community. In the same spirit, I would call for the empathy of the international community, towards the aspirations of the Cuban people.
I also wish to urge with all the emphasis at my command the need for greater concern and involvement on the part of the international community to assist the people of Africa in their efforts to elevate the quality of life on their continent.
Leaders who have been chosen by their people often face difficult decisions. They must be entitled to the good will and confidence of the international community with regard to the heavy burdens they are required to shoulder. The results of their decisions must be evaluated objectively and must be allowed to speak for themselves.
That is not to say countries should operate in isolation. In this globally inter-dependent world, we must work together where we can and constructively counsel each other where appropriate.
The United Nations forms the bed-rock of this interaction and in this role it will always receive the support of Sri Lanka
39 Comments
President Mahinda Rajapakse needs to be congratulated on a good performance at UNGA. Certainly not flawless, by any means - but he did a good job. The able and scholarly hand, language and script of GL Peiris is unmistakable.
It will be encouraging if the State confirms through official channels (1) 90% of the IDPs have already been returned to their original lands/homes (2) we will see the end of Emergency Rule soon. As to the Lankan Tamil people they need more than mere "wishes" to regain their Status Quo of homes, land, peace, stability and their personal dignity - the latter soon to be a globally recognised Human Right as President Obama assured the world today.
"External solutions" - more from India and Norway- were sought by more than one GoSL administration is an undisputed fact and there is no room for politics here. Looks like Norwegian support is sought once again, going by the media.
While re-affirming support for Palestine and Cuba can gain friends and irritate others, one wishes in this case we also should have made reference to the plight of that gentle lady Aung Sun Suu Kyi - from our fellow Buddhist land and entrapped by a bizarre Army junta for nearly 25 years.
ISS
What a marvellous and super confident performance.
Stand in front of the world leaders and deliver such a convincing, factual and inspirational speech without even one single piece of written notes is bloody unbelievable.
Besides, sticking it up to the the West on their own turf is even more pleasureable.
Never seen or heard a performance like this from a any other leader in Srilankan history.
Not a single negative statements. All positives. There is nothing to worry about the future of Srilanka as lond as this dude is around.
Good on you Mr President.
"A great deal has been said by those beyond our borders about our Tamil community."
Yes, and that has been said by Tamils who have suffered a great deal under your regime or previous regimes. ONLY a Tamil would know what it is to be a Tamil in Sri Lanka. Today, under MR's regime, more so than under previous regimes, only overseas-based Tamils are free to speak the truth. When you have four elected Tamil Members of Parliament murdered by MR regime's hit teams during the first term, imagine an ordinary Tamil attempting to speak up, to tell the truth without risking the real possibility of disappearing forever.
Tamils in Sri Lanka will never be able to speak freely unless they toe the government line. This has to be recognized.
"Let me be clear, no nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka’s Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself."
Is that why your government slaughtered thousands of innocent Tamils, all in the name of defeating terrorism? Is that why Tamils are still fleeing SL when they get a chance? Everyone will be judged on their actions, not words. That statement is about as true as stating that the Sun will rise from the west tomorrow.
Any one familiar with the West knows that every Western PM or President employs an official speech writer.
Obviously Mr ISS is not aware of it,
However this president seems to do it on his own if one cares to watch the manner in which it was delivered.
Going by the media , the Norwegian PM is looks more intent on getting support from our President for his Learning Commission on Solheim.l
"a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission have been established, giving full expression to the principles of accountability"
Most Tamils, former IIGEP and Amnesty International (Twenty years of make-believe - Sri Lanka's Commissions of Inquiry) will feel the above statement by President Rajapaksa is a lie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIGEP
http://rajivawijesinha.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/testimony-before-the-lessons-learnt-and-reconciliation-commission-%E2%80%93-part-3/
http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/566
ISS you are spot on with your frank comments. Why MR never mentioned in UN why all the internal solutions agreed before 1972 failed ? Further why SWRD was assasinated and the lessons learnt by SLFP from 1956 to 1972 ? Why there was no solution before the LTTE was born ? The bottom line is even after the war the problems of the Tamils reamins the same or rather worse.
A cameleon changes its colour to suit the colour of its surrounding. This is what Mahinda Rajapakse has done in the UN.
When a cameleon is in a colour, it is not serious about it. It will change again when it changes to a new place with a new colour.
MR will change when he is back in Colombo.
The policy of an independent Palestinian state if acceptable by Rajapakse to restore the dignity and identity of Palestinians, the same is applicable to the restoration of dignity, identity and security of the people of Tamil Eelam.
Why is there a resistance against TE by MR?
How about war criminals and bringing the criminals to justice?
Sweet words and good pretending of a humbug. A humbug does not mean what he says and says what he will not do!!
To have mentioned Burma
would lead to the same,
as having to mention SF?
GL played it soft and nice.
It would have been great and would have been appropriate and credible if the President had in his address at the UN said that the Tamil people of the island have no where else in the world but in their own home in the island to be assured of a good life now and for ever along with the other inhabitants of the island.
But he missed his chance to do so.Not only the majority community is happy and comfortable with the way of governance that has become vogue in the recent past in the aftermath of the decimation of LTTE terrorism.The emergency laws are still in place there is widespread disaffection which affect ever fact of life of the people at large.Rising living costs,media censorship,dwindling standards,corrupt officialdom,nepotism,and many ills pervade the country.The future looks bleak and the President does not seem to have addressed real issues.How can he when he simply does not have the knack or concern especially with the manner in which the 18th Amendment was passed and the calibre of parliamentarians politicians that the islanders have burdened themselves with..
" No nation on earth can wish Srilanka's Tamil community more good fortune than Srilanka itself "
1) Mahind means, Srilanka = Sinhalees. A country wishes means the population of that country? If he separate the Tamils to be wished by Srilanka, then he means Srilanka = Sinhalees.
2) Before Mahinda opened his mouth to address to the United Nations General Assembly, he should have asked G L peiris to interpret in Sinhala, the sections of the UN charter regarding the minorities and understood it well, to understand the feelings of the Srilankan Tamils. Rajapaksa is just a president of a section of the population of Srilanka and and not for the Tamils, that is all. Rajapaksa is also good at inventing new stupid theories like the Iranian president Ahamedin Najad , but comparing to the wise and sharp Ahamedin Najad, Mahinda is just another SINHALA Srilankan only.
Well done President Mahinda Rajapaksa !!!
Mad Mass Murder Rajapaksa sinks to the lowest depth in U N . This greedy butcher of the 40 000 innocent women and children lies shamelessly about his undying “love” for the Sri Lankan minorities.
This spineless liar – he said infamously that there were ZERO civilian casualties in the Tamils War - say and do anything to milk Gullible Diaspora and the Whole World
He will certainly talk about Palestine but he will not talk about Aung Sun because if he talks about her when he comes home his new masters from china will tell him to get the money for the new airport from Aung sun
Nathen
ISS
To add to your comments, I must raise my hat off to MR for taking the whole UN and thus the International Community for a Royal Ride. Machiavalli must be turning in his grave!
Unfortunately, there is a cardinal principle of "karma" that cannot be deviated by humans by ammending constitutions, amistake initially was made by JR giving rise to all these liabilities. "As you sow, so you reap" - this is a lesson learnt throughout human evolution. When one has power and money (a bad combination for humans with mundane desires awaiting the worst kind of so called hell) one tends to take the GOD for granted. VP did this, like so many others in history, and they all have learnt their lessons in no uncertain manners.His sins surrounded him at the last moment and he met his counterpart face to face. "YAMA", the lord of death called "YAMA DHARMA" does not differentiate between personalities. It is the equation of pluses and minuses.
It is, incidentally, an era of suffering for the uninvolved civilians as well for their own "Karma" since nobody is immuned in this area.
Let's face it and hope for the best.
ISS spot on when he states the speech resounds with GL speak. Even the pause at the end of a phrase is carbon copy GL.
Leave aside these trivia, the President's sympathy with the Palestinians does not seem to gravitate towards his own ethnic minority, the Tamils. The hippocracy of the President is revealed now to all the world as he addressed the UNGA, not seeking atonement for the thousands of civilians killed in the name of Sovereignty and Sinhala hegemony.
But then, how could he tell the UNGA that he has no explanation why his government even after finishing the war with the LTTE continues to impose Emergency Regulations, continues to ban foreign and independent media from covering the LLTC, continues to move from demco0racy towards as steady and sharp decline towards oligarchy and nepotism.
How could he tell that he only seeks to entrench his position as an autocratic leader on the back of winning the war.
I wonder how the UN panel's findings on the war would alter the course this govt. has taken post-war; ie the 18A which would take away every democratic right the Soulbury Constitution bestowed on the people of Sri Lanka and which successive governments since independence chipped away to appease the Sinhala majority.
The President would be looking over his shulders for many years to come; that is if he survives.
Lier and good actor Mr .Rajapaksha has proved to all of us He will do well in Hollwoods or Bolliwoods. Certenly better behavior than Iranian President's utteranceto day.
Lier and good actor Mr .Rajapaksha has proved to all of us He will do well in Hollwoods or Bolliwoods. Certenly better behavior than Iranian President's utteranceto day.
Thank god you elected by idiot praba, now you are a sinhala modaya hero. Never ever forget praba. Now you fool thing saviour of sinhalayos, you will pay soon no matter chinos licking your ass.
What a medley of cons. Those who are familiar with the history of thsi dastardly conflict started by the State in 1948 along racial and later religious lines and ended with the mass murder of Tamils in May 2009 will differ from this bogus presentation.Surely countries around the world know better and are far more insightful than what the President has said without any sense of shame.
The LTTE came into being in the late 1970s and owe their origin to none other than Sinhala Buddhist chauvanism and bigotry manifested in the form of state terror against Tamils for decades, the worst of it under President Rajapakse and his brothers. The vast majority of Tamils murdered was done by governments and mobs and/or the Sinhala military and police. The southeern political parties and politicains used langauge, race and religion to win votes at every election from 1956 to 2009. That is the basic truth to transfrom the state into a most divisive one with a record which puts the racist regime of former Afrikaaner South Africa in the shade. Even its Emergency laws used against black people were copied and executed ruthlessly in Sri lanka against Tamil people and their political opponents in the south. For the President to say in the UN that most of the draconian regulations have been annulled is a big lie. The latest Sinhala victim is none other than the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who is denied any justice.
No mistake the LTTE killed certain Tamils and terrorised Sinhalese in the same but far lesser way than the Sinhala Buddhist governments and still continue to do even now in the north and east by carrying out ethnic cleansing and building Buddhist temples in the north and east on expropriated private lands fromn the Tamil people. The vicious rule continues! Without the rule of law ordinary citizens have been rendered helpless. President Rajapakse who is a lawyer ought to know better than anyone else.
How can there be reconciliation without resort to justice and the rule of law. Those who committed grave crimes against civilians regardless of race or religion ought to be held to account by an International UN legal body as justice is dead in Sri Lanka. In this connection the Dublin Peace Tribunal's findings are an eye opener. The internal Lessons Learnt Commission is an exercise in futility. If any lessons had been learnt from any of the previous Commissions Sri lanka will not be in this predicament.
The so-called 18th Amendment enabling Rajapakse to contest any number of times is a joke. So be it but the irony will have to be borne in the coming years. And that is why the Tamil people are kept in bondage in concentration camps and other internment camps or simpley be let off into the open sapce so he can show this to his own people to win votes at any number of future elections. The politics of hatred continues without concrete dismantling of its methods and rule. I tis no wonder there are 300,000 fully armed Sinhala troops in the country mainly concentreted in the north and east even after decimation of the Tigers.
MR said
"No nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka's Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself"
Ha Ha
Well said Sir, you spoke like a true stateman.
Victorious in battle you emphasised the massive task ahead to build the new Sri Lanka from the ashes of a war against a vicious well equipped enemy.
YOur words and deeds to accommodate and welcome those seeking constructive engagements and partnerships in the true spirit of friendly collaboration, your expression of solidarity with many nations and countries in dire needs coming through similar situations Sri Lanka faced had the true ring of sincerity.
Two Sri Lankans say just the opposite of each other about the same situation ??????????
http://www.groundviews.org/2010/09/23/submissions-before-lessons-learnt-reconciliation-committee-llrc-by-chandra-jayaratne/
Submission before Lessons Learnt & Reconciliation Committee (LLRC) by Chandra Jayaratne
“If history has taught us one thing, it is that imposed external solutions breed resentment and ultimately fail. Ours, by contrast, is a home grown process, which reflects the culture and traditions of our people.”
----------------------------------------------
History also tells the story of Panda- Chelva fact and
Dudly – Chelva fact those all home grown process?
And now I guess you targeted on Indo-lanka fact (imposed external solution?)
I am sure the next president of Srilanka has to target on Mahinda- Banki moon fact
An Eelam citizen
"Let me be clear, no nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka’s Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself." By Mahinda
Meaning no nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka’s Tamil community more Damage and destruction than Sri Lanka under my family's rule itself.Truth
"Why is there a resistance against TE by MR?" asks Justin. Never mind MR, why is there resistance to TE by India? Never mind TE, why is there resistance to the separatist agitation in Kashmir, Tibet, Mindanao, Kurdistan, the Basque territory etc etc? Go figure, Justin.
Mahinda is a despicable liar !!!!!
He promised the Tamil Nadu fishermen free for fishing after the Tamil Tigers are killed
It is all just lies – broken promises
He promised the surrendering Tamil Tigers amnesty
It is all just lies – broken promises
He promised Tamil who survived the Tsunami
houses
It is all just lies – broken promises
And after 6 years waiting their they still live in slams
The houses that were build on their property and promised to them are instead given to the Sinhalese from the South.
He promised Indian Government that he will give Political Package to Tamils after the Tamil Tigers are killed.
Gullible India trusted him and as always this is all just lies – broken promises
a discrace for UN to allow a mass murderer to address them.
The world has yet to learn about extreme human rights violations against tamils since independence,which have been blacked out by the state media.These are the cause of tamil militancy which culminated in open war against the sri lankan state.
http://nesohr.org/hrr/?show=all
These are all documented by Fr.X.Karunaratnam who was killed by lankan militia.
The president is living in a dreamland if he thinks that tamils expect any justice from his government.He may fool some countries but not all of them. His heart bleeds for the palestinians but not for the tibetans ( tibet was raped by his new ally, china ) nor for the burmese whose dictater is one of his best friends.
Kalu Albert - I am not surprised you take regular pride in exhibiting your goatish tendencies. It is not only political leaders in the West who use Speech Writers, you oaf, but almost everyone else. More than one able Speech Writer accompany their leaders both locally and abroad - is basic knowledge. I know something of the discipline because I have experience there. While Jack Kennedy was a brilliant writer, it was Ted Sorensen and McGeorge Bundy whom he looked upon to provide the "better than the best" and Sorensen obliged with that immortal "Ask not" speech.
You should be learning more than trying to counsel. Follow comments from the learned like Pearl T here, who brings you the many decades of her journalistic
excellence, critical spirit and knowledge.
Now that we are on the subject of our recent leaders
CBK did Sri Lanka proud speaking in English on formal occasions. She did not falter, her pronunction and diction was faultless and she had the class of the properly well educated Sri Lankan. GLP outdid Hilary Clinton at the State Dept the other day - impromptu - bringing the finest expected of a Professor of schools of higher learning.
Srivan, Nathen and others take this blog to the sublime levels any instrument of public discussion is expected to do.
Forgive me. I know I hurt your feelings.
ISS
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts
.......... — Jaques (Act II, Scene VII)
Rajapaksa said at the UNGA "No nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka's Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself"
Well, well Rajapaksa is a great comedian...
What a sick joke !!
France, England, Norway, USA and many, many other nations on earth wish Sri Lanka’s Tamil more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself
95% of the seats were vacant except two or three world leaders present but attending to some other work. A total of 130 members from Sri Lanka accompanied. Huge amount spent. Is it really worth?
Ratnadurai, S.
With so much of feel good factor behind them, MR and Prof Pieris are reporetdly said to have been closetted with SG Ban for 5 hours behind closed doors.Most unfortuanetly they did not meet the press! Was'nt that a golden opportunity missed right there in the UN?
'No nation on earth can wish Sri Lanka's Tamil community more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself' what a commic and trivia.
It is in fact misfortunes the Tamils are facing for decades in Sri Lanka even under the LTTE. It is the basic dignity to look after ourselves within a united Sri Lanka without being systematically weakend to extend the majoritan agenda.
We in the Diaspora have achived fortunes due to tollerance, respect and good governance practices by the states. Our children are not victimed like us when we lived in Sri Lanka. Those living in SL are in military ghetoes and not enjoying good fortunes.
The President is still shying away from commenting on any political resolution to the Tamil issue.
He spoke in Tamil last year to appease the Tamils and the international community and he realised he is failing. He used KP to prop up his agenda. But KP has now gone silent. He nicked Karuna from the LTTE, and Karuna is now swiming in a different pool. President's buddy Douglas is a wanted man or a persona non grate in many countries. His Tamil contacts are not not bringing good fortunes for him.
Dear President, let the Tamil people in unison say 'Tamils are more good fortune than Sri Lanka itself' than you speaking for us. Give the Tamil people the right forum, they will respond appropriately. The manner in which the Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission conducted its affairs in the Tamil areas and the Colombo media reported the truth about the LLRC work there speaks volume of the fortunes pouring for the TAmils.
No sweat, ISS.
By the way according to one of your recommended favorites here,Srilankan President would be looking over his shoulder.implying the fear that he may not survive.
Here is a president endorsed by the largest ever voter base. He is the Chief of a well diciplined and loyal Defence Force.He has unstinted support from even most of the UNP.
So what should he be looking at, over the shoulder?
Obviously he has a few enemies who will go to any extent to bring harm. These groups are well known.
In fact these groups continuously demand the scrapping of the Emergency Regulations that enabled the country to eliminate the scourge of Terror and maintain a peaceful environment for the whole population.
They demand free access to the country for all well known anti Srilankan and anti Sinhala ,anti Buddhist media outlets and NGO, INGO representatives.
Then there is the DNA lead by an ex General and supported by a small group of recalcitrant fringe politicians whose track record for trouble making is well documented.
Is this the danger that the writer is implying.?
"Why is there a resistance against TE by MR?"……………….
Dr DJ
Why the membership in the UN increases gradually even though so many resistances?
Annil
Reading the comments here, I see that 'ISS' is looking forward for the return of the Norwegians. As usual 'Kaz' talks about slaughtering of Tamil civilians. 'tmorgan' says MR is a liar. Someone from 'heaven' complains about the proposed solution of bygone era. 'Justin' calls MR a humbug and compair him to a cameleon because he doesn't put Tamil Eelam in the same boat as Palastene. In spite of a resurging ecomony 'an anonymous' sees a bleak economic future for Sri Lanka. 'afool' but definitely no fool sees Mahinda is just another SINHALA Srilankan only. 'Anbuchelvan' says MR is a mad mass murderer and a spineless liar. Kingsley says, Machiavalli must be turning in his grave after listnening to MR. 'Pearl' praises Soulbury constitution but curse 18A of MR. 'Mano' sees MR as a lier and a good actor. 'jmuthu' sees sinhalaya as modayas. 'Sirivan' indentifies Sinhala Buddhists as chavenists and bigots, and accuses MR on everything under the sun but shed crocadile tears for Sarath Fonseka. An 'Eelam citizen' tries to bake a pie in the sky. 'Mano' worote about Damage and destruction to Tamil community by MR. 'Yoganathan' wrote about broken promises by MR and gullibility of India. 'xsrianka' complains about UN allowing a mass murderer to address them. I think I have summerised writing of all the Eelamists. Ah, I forgot; the best one is the last one. 'Krisha' laments for France, England, Norway, USA and many, many other nations on earth can do nothing for Tamils. That was the most realistic comment I have seen for a long time by an Eelamist.
Now, let me be outspoken and tell everyone what I think of these commentators and their buddies that post comments all over the internet want. And, we would be living in a fool's paradise, if we think we can satisfy this lot with 13A or 13A plus or Federal or con-Federal. They want nothing but Eelam. Our president will be sadly mistaken if he think he can satisfy this lot within 'Mahinda Chintana Ediri Dekma'.
The President could be forgiven for speaking for 10mts about the misdemeanours of the now defunct LTTE, out of the 20mts during which he stood at the podium, accosting the world to understand how the war was a necessary evil, knowing well that it still wants answers for a host of war crimes including the indiscriminate killing of thousands of Tamil civilians, the murder of aid workers and the execution of surrendering rebels.
Memories are short. The ‘instrument of division, hate and violence’ enshrined in the constitution are the precursors of the rise of unrest. To ‘ensure that terrorism will not be able to raise its ugly head again’ the poisoned chalice of mere wishes and the sword of military Damocles, under the pretext of delivering essential services, rebuilding habitats, clearing mines and restoring vital infrastructure to whole tracts of land decimated by war, are hardly the conditions for ‘sustainable peace and prosperity’.
The so called ‘terrorists’; which incidentally do not have internationally accepted definition, in taking the primary role of resisting the government ‘instruments of division, hate and violence’ fought only to regain the sovereignty of the Tamil nation which was taken over by armed force by external colonial powers and handed over to the internal colonial masters.
If Israel; a state conquered by the Romans in 70AD, could be voted into being by the UN in 1948, then the Tamil nation conquered by the west in 1505AD has every right to be voted into being by the same institution sooner than later. In the name of Justice, the UN must recognise what is good for the goose must be good for the gander to regain its’ moral authority’.
I am visiting this page after sometime and just saw
Leela's comments (Sept 28) where she lists me among many Tamils - rather unendearingly. Leela, it is not my task to bring back the Norwegians. If you are alert you will know, in addition to the may reported surreptitious attempts, MR showed his slip when he openly courted the Nord PM and the "despised" Eric S at the UN recently. We were told he even invited them to visit SL. Who is fooling whom? CBK yielded against her better judgement during her period and had to eat humble pie in first "chassing" them (made the Sinhala supremacists hordes happy then) and then recalling them later. Pls try to understand we are insignificant compared to the wealthy Nords. It is not only Sri Lanka's peace they are trying to help but in respect of many others too. Why? I suspect when you are wealthy you can only enjoy the fruits of that wealth for your people when others around you too have something precious to hold on to. The other reason may be that called Christian charity - a modern re-thinking of the churches where they try to help the rest of the world perhaps to atone the sins of the 15th-17th century sins of Portugese, Spanish and other European conquistodores. Just for the record,
I am a practising Hindu.
Among many other reasons necessary for us to secure the peace we are praying for will be that which brings us the wisdom to understand who are friends are and who not.
Here's to a nice day.
ISS